Trucks I either Have now or have had in the last few years. Thoughts on them, either with complete stock emissions, or deleted. or in some cases that issue doesn't apply. These are in chronological order, not my preference order.

1. 2000 Ford F-250 Superduty with 7.3L
2. 2005 RAM 2500 with 5.9 Cummins
3. 2006 RAM 3500 Dually with 5.9 Cummins (aftermarket exhaust brake)
4. 2012 Ford F-450 powerstroke 6.7 Fully deleted
5. 2015 RAM 2500 6.7 Fully Deleted Cummins
6. 2018 RAM 3500 Dually 6.7 Fully Deleted Cummins

270 Win. Kicks 7 rem mag ‘s azz

I have a '05 Dodge Cummins. While the body and interior is lacking in quality in some places, the engine runs great. So far, no issues with the 48RE trans, other than the parking pawl won't engage anymore.

But when I get in it, I don't have bells and whistles going off if I don't buckle the seat belt. No Sirius radio, no backup alarm, or camera tat takes the place of mirrors. Mine has no rust, so I'm putting money into it to keep it maintenance updated. I have no intent on buying anything new.

I hear you. I'm not gonna lie - I'd like a new truck, but I've been there before and don't want to fret about a new vehicle or pay for one, so I'll keep my 2007 gasser for as long as I can. The only thing it doesn't have that I'd like is Bluetooth, but an adapter takes care of that.

What is your ranking then?

2000 Ford F-250 Superduty with 7.3L with over 300,000 miles. Two clutches and one transmission. I pulled a lot of heavy loads

‘03 Duramax.

Injectors twice ... once at 114K-ish, covered by dealer for $500, and once at 170K done by yours truly for $1600 in (upgraded) parts and a long weekend-plus of labor.

Front end upgraded as stock parts wore out, Pittman, idler, tie rods, upper controls, bushings, ball joints ...

Approaching 220K now and runs like a raped ape ... no plans to buy new here at current prices and with current DEF/EGR crap.

All in all, great hunting truck that’s seen hard use and continues to roll. No regrets. Knowing what I know almost 18 years after I took delivery, would do it again, no question.

I had a 2000 ram 5.9 diesel, it was ok on power but a cold blooded SOB. Suspension in the 2000 was done by 65k, but a good truck overall. I now have 18 ram 6.7 diesel all stock, it has power to spare, warms up quick, and starts easy in the cold. The 6 speed auto and the jake in the 18 make in a joy to pull with, I'm keeping it for a while.

I have a 2004, runs great, 206,000 miles, got a 2018, like hell out of it.

Mine is a 1999 dodge 5.9 cummins. 390K miles, looks rough and just gets used as a farm truck now but runs as good now as the day I bought it new. I've got my money's worth out of it, it owes me nothing.

I never had a Duramax. I had a chevy gasser in early 90s, abused it pretty bad. ran it hard, pulled a trailer with it. the transmission crapped at 110k miles. the only truck I ever had that actually crapped a major component, I guess that left me with a bad impression. whether it was deserved or not.

I would say Cummins, due to what friends have had. Saying that, I have had three Duramax's and no issues. All of them now have HP fuel pump issues.

I like to bitch about the modern pickups but 99% of the time they are badass machines.


That said the emission systems are lame.


And unlike most we actually use our heavy duty pickups off-road.


2011 F350 DRW deleted 6.7 w/Hydrabed has been at work +150 days in a row hauling hay on the cow farm. 1.35 million pounds to be exact.


That pickup has about 97k miles on it and is starting to get a little wore out.



The engine is awesome.

Lol I just made a thread then found this one ...

I have only had the F-250 about a month. it's a long story but I traded the 2015 RAM 2500 for the F-250 because I didn't have the deleted RAM parts to go back to stock, and I don't trust the emission laws. (my opinion) It is only a matter of time before the Federal Government makes it so you can't register a vehicle with altered emissions. SOOO, I since I wanted a truck to last me my retirement years, the low mileage 7.3 was the way to go. I bought the 2000 F-250 with 30k original miles, I can't really compare it to the cummins..it is really a different beast, so I'm gonna leave it off for now. My ranking is this:


2006 RAM 3500 Cummins 5.9, I kick myself in the balls for ever selling this truck.
2005 RAM 2500 Cummins 5.9, once again, ball kicking.
2018 RAM Cummins 6.7 deleted (I have the parts to go back to stock if needed)
2015 RAM Cummins 6.7 deleted (no parts to return to stock- hence gone) this freaking truck was a monster, the tuned engine was off the scale. I sold it last month for more than I paid
2012 Ford F-450 6.7. this was a bad idea. CP4. Lawyers hounded me for 5 years to represent me in a lawsuit for the CP4. I got rid of it ASAP.

1999 f-250 Super Duty XLT 7.3 is at 429,815 miles. Rebuilt front end, replaced original trans @ 417k, injectors and glow plugs 2019, rebuilt fuel bowl, lotsa brakes, 2x drivelines, new oil cooler o-rings, radiator, original power steering pump went @ 412k, hydro boost @ 428k, steering column linkage @ 426k, 2x water pumps, 2x crank shaft sensors, original starter died @ 417k, new steering box and the fuel sending unit is tits up. Been a great truck, but it's going up for sale soon.

2000 f-250 Super Duty Lariat 7.3 is at 249,810. On its second trans and starter.

They've both been great work horses. I did new springs and Bilsteins on both a few years ago and it made them 100x better in the handling dept especially when weighted down. Highly recommended.

Trucks now:
04 Duramax —daily driver 200k+
2 93 Cummins over 200k
92 Cummins 190k

Routine and scheduled maintenance on all.
Knock on wood, would do it all over again!

Funny thing, an acquaintance made an offer on all of them,
last fall, almost accepted. Glad I didn’t, would rather have all
These than one new one with all that’s going down...

06 Cummins 5.9 - been a great truck until recently. Damned P0243 and P4— something or the other (engine fan)! I know it’s in the wiring harness somewhere as they apparently share the same circuit but I’ll be damned if I can find it. Probably have to go into the shop for that one. It’s ready for the front end rebuild too. Thought about getting rid of it but the cost of a new truck is stupid high so I’ll keep it for now. It’s set up how I want it and it’s long been paid for.

Had an 05 dmax for a while at work. Wasn’t especially impressed with it. My 06 would outdo it any day. Those older Ford 7.3 were a hell of an engine and I really likes the interior of that vintage Ford.

I’ve only had 1, 2006 6.Blow. Bought in 2011 with 45k miles for fairly cheap. At 100k miles did all the standard 6.0 stuff. Now at 185k miles and have added a new alternator. Forgot about doing a temp transmitter in the transmission in an OReillys parking lot in BFE, Wyoming a couple years ago.

Bought a new Tundra last year, but knew I’d get hosed trading it, so just kept it for when I do need it.

Mostly a pavement princess, but do work it occasionally.

The old 3406 mechanical Cat. The nicest driving engine any truck driver could ask for.

I’ve got an 03 as well. Motor and tranny have been flawless. The rest is a Chevy....need I say more? I keep it around because it’s more valuable as a backup than the coin I could get for it (I have a 2016 Duramax as well). I had the 7.3 Powerstroke in a 97 that stranded me way too many times with the glow plug module that went out periodically (I went through a bunch and even carried a spare until buying the 03 Duramax). Ford lost a customer for life for failing to address a known problem.

I’ve test driven the Rams periodically over the years but couldn’t wrap my head around purchasing a Dodge because even if the power train was flawless, the rest was still going to do the Dodge thing.

Yep, Ford body, Dodge Cummings engine and a GM Allison tranny. Never have found one yet.

99 F250 7.3L with zero factory emissions. 305000 miles & runs better than when new, only major repair is a transmission rebuild at 304000. Rarely leaves the driveway without a railer attached & still gets 20 mpg empty.

#1 Cummins 5.9 12 valve P-pump

I’ve only had 1, 2006 6.Blow
I’ve got a 2005 6.0 l it’s at 177,000 and pulling something all the time. After market turbo at 122,000 and been a solid motor for me but I’m sure my day is coming

Have an 06 Dodge with 480k miles and almost 16k hours. Put an aftermarket suspension under it at 156k for running the Dalton hwy. After working on and around the Ford diesels for years I didn't want anything to do with them. Been driving and working on Dodges since 01.

I don't own one any more but i do like the Dura max but what you had i would live with the 7.3.

Them things are tough and have plenty of power.

I have changed a turbo and injectors on one of those trucks and it was not that hard to do.

An 04 F350 crew cab long bed 4x4 with manual 6 speed tranny. At 196,000 miles and just had it bullet proofed as we're going to start hauling a travel trailer. Seems to be taking the hills in a higher gear now.

Previous diesel was a VW Rabbit pickup. At 50 mpg one could drive for weeks without any thoughts of fueling up. Wish they still made them.

Yep had a Volkswagen Diesel Passat. Wonderful car great power and great mileage. THEN..... Got paid $32K for a car with 46K miles... Best deal ever on a car I bought new.

Returning to stock after deleting is not always as easy as bolting the stuff back on and loading your old tune. My diesel guy tells me it’s a real PITA to get them back to emissions compliance, and the epa is starting to crack down with some pretty hefty fines. All in all, I don’t think deleting is the answer.

The best I have ever driven was an employer owned GMC 3500 with a Cat 3116 and a Fuller 6 speed Roadranger. Raw torque, good fuel mileage, over 10 mpg, fairly quiet. Every day load was a big Lincoln 400 amp diesel welder, a 400 pound air compressor, a 500 pound lift crane, tools, oils, parts...no repairs in the nearly 200,000 I drove it and it was still going great when I quit.

Your OP inquiry is about diesel engines. I like our 2002 Duramax a lot, especially with the Allison and on the highway. But, with regard to overall performance and durability, it cannot hold a candle to the 2001 Cummins. Seems to me that diesels in general have gone somewhat downhill not long after those.

I had a 01 dodge 5.9 Cummins with a 6 sp manual, loved it but body components were very cheap. Sold it and bought a 2000 v10 ford. (Not sorry at all) My everyday runs sound town car is a 95 e300d 25-28 mpg. Non turbo no electrons needed other than a starter. Son drives a 02 Jetta tdi 50-55 mpg

Since '97 on --

'96 F-350 SC dually 460 CID/5 sp.
'99 F-350 SC dually 7.3 PSD
'04 F-350 CC dually 6.0 PSD
'11 F-350 CC dually 6.7 PSD
'16 F-350 CC dually 6.7 PSD
'17 F-350 CC dually 6.7 PSD
.20 F-450 CC dually 6.7 PSD - and this is THE END.. Man, what a truck though - hauls my 19K# camper like it's not even there..

In chronological order:

'99 F250 7.3 Power Stroke
'02 GMC Duramax
'04 Ram 2500 Cummins
'06 Ram 2500 Cummins
'16 Chevy Duramax

Bought the '16 Chevy in November to replace the '06 Ram - still have the Ram but getting ready to sell it very soon. I really like the '16 Chevy except for door rattles and vibration in the stereo's speakers. The '06 Ram is a much tighter truck with a lot more miles on it. I wouldn't sell it but 3 winters in a row it chits the bed as soon as temperatures drop below freezing. Missed most of the last 2 hunting seasons with it in and out of the shop, but then it runs fine the rest of the year.

Never driven a Diesel pickup.

Farm machines, Cummings are good. Any IH Diesels have been good as well.

2006 Silverado LBZ Duramax. Bought it a couple of years ago to see if I would like a rattler after getting wore out filling up V10 Fords, and an 8.1 liter Chevrolet.
I’m glad I bought it. It pulls 16-17mpg unloaded. 10mpg with a 7000lb trailer. The 7K trailer doesn’t seem to work the truck much. I know the new ones have more power, but for my use, the truck just plain fits the bill. My gassers would pull 10mpg unloaded on good days with a steady tailwind. The 8.1 Chev never saw over 11mpg. Never.
I would like to try an L5P, but have a feeling I will be waiting a while. The only thing I don’t like about the truck is that it is missing a foot and a half off the back end of the box. I will go back to an 8 foot box for my next pickup.

01 F250 7.3 CC 4x4
Three sets of ball joints, 2 starters, all the battery cables, 1 alternator, 1 water pump, 1 radiator, 2 sets of brake pads, all the rotors and calipers at last brake job which was right at 200K
Tranny went at 195K

It's now got close to 225k on it and it ain't leaving the fleet anytime soon.

2014 F250 PSD. Solid truck until 135,000 when it started having issues. Sold it.

2018 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins. 30,000 miles so far; no issues. Currently have a lot of weight on it: Ranch Hand steel bumper/grill guard and full length steel side steps and 100gal steel auxiliary fuel tank behind the cab. With all of this weight I get 19 mpg overall, if I do my part

I have had:

'85 Chevy 6.2 Diesel. Glow plug eating machine. Took two years to figure out to trip it.

'98 Dodge 2500 12 valve 5.9L Cummins. Great truck, one of my favorites. Transfer case replaced at 250K.

'01 Dodge 2500 24 valve 5.9 Cummins. Good truck.

'06 Dodge 3500 5.9 Cummins, current truck. So glad it was before all the exhaust emission BS. Had no posi and would get stuck on flat wet grass. Put an Eaton Trutrac in the rear, and an Eaton E-Locker in front. The TruTrac works so well I've only locked in the front a couple times. Absolutely my dream truck now. Had to replace the known POS dual mass flywheel OEM clutch last year at 100K, but my mechanic says it's demise was hastened by the mouse nest (complete with several carcasses) he discovered in it. I had no idea this was even possible. Yes, I live out of town.

As far as diesel engines go......

1. Cummins
2. Everything else, a distant 2nd or worse.